1. Nails, Moles, Warts, Skin Cancer, Birthmarks, and Wrinkles

2. Nails Nails are made of keratin (like hair!) Nails grow under the cuticle at the nail base. Extra keratin is added to the nail in the nail matrix. Nails grow 0.5mm each week. Fingernails grow faster than toe nails.

5. Common Nail Problems Ingrown Nail: when the nail curves down and into the skin, causing pain, and sometimes infection Nail Injury: when you drop something on your nail a bruise may appear under it; the nail may fall off, but a new one will grow

6. Nail Deformity: when the nail isn’t smooth on the surface. Hangnail: when a loose strip of dead skin hangs from the edge of a fingernail

8. Moles A mole is a flat or raised mark that varies in shape, colour and texture. It is the overproduction of skin pigment cells (melanocytes). Most people have between 10 – 20. Moles may become malignant and pose health risks. They should be seen by a doctor.

10. Warts Warts are a small growth caused by a viral infection of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Causes the overgrowth of epidermal cells. Excess cells are pushed upward and cause a lump. Planters warts, on people’s feet, are flat and can cause pain.

12. Skin Cancer Basal Cell Carcinoma: fast dividing cells in the base of the epidermis are damaged by UV exposure and begin multiplying out of control. Stays in epidermis. Malignant Melanoma: radiation damage to pigment-producing cells. A dark mass forms and some cells break into the dermis and travel in the blood to other locations.

14. Birthmarks unusual patterns of capillaries (red) heavily pigmented or bumpy layers of skin some disappear and some can be removed most are harmless

16. Wrinkles small folds in the skin that occurs as skin ages skin loses elasticity and does not snap back into place long exposure to sun and wind can cause wrinkles to occur quickly

18. Interesting Facts Your skin weighs between 2.5-3.5 kg (about 10 lbs) You have the same number of hair follicles as a chimpanzee Men and women have about the same number of hair, but female is finer

19. Fingerprints were first used in a criminal investigation in 1880 by Henry Faulds, a Scottish medical missionary. The identity of a thief who had been drinking purified alcohol from the dispensary was confirmed by a greasy fingerprint on a bottle.